TOPOGRAPHY-ANCHORED CORONA DISCHARGE (TACD): AN AGNOSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL MODEL FOR ATMOSPHERIC BOUNDARY LUMINESCENCE

This preprint presents the Topography-Anchored Corona Discharge (TACD) model, a quantitative framework for faint, stationary luminescence anchored to ground features under non-storm conditions. In the model, wind-driven triboelectric charging of aerosols builds a net space charge within a stable valley inversion layer (Richardson number Ri > 0.25). The resulting ambient field (≈17.5 kV/m for a 100 m layer and |ρq| ≈ 1.55 nC/m³) is amplified at conductive topographic tips (free parameter β ≈ 260) to just above the Peek threshold, sustaining a cold positive corona discharge. The model gives a closed balance from space charge to apparent magnitude: currents of 1–5 µA, power dissipation of 0.87–4.4 W supplied by the wind-advected electrostatic energy flux, and an apparent visual magnitude of about +6.8 to +10 at 1 km. The discharge is therefore predicted to be near or below the naked-eye threshold and primarily detectable by UV-sensitive instruments. The TACD does not propose a new discharge mechanism. Its contribution is a fair-weather charge source, a closed quantitative balance, and falsifiable thresholds (|ρq| ≥ 1.43 nC/m³; β ≥ 240). Prior work on point discharge, electrified inversion layers, tectonic corona and charged-droplet luminescence is discussed. The free parameters and their measurement routes are listed explicitly. The model is restricted to stationary luminescence anchored to physical ground features; it does not address free-floating or mobile lights. A downscaled wind-tunnel protocol with three negative controls and a discriminant scaling test (emission vs. collection) is proposed for experimental replication.